Showing posts with label encourager. Show all posts
Showing posts with label encourager. Show all posts

Monday 9 March 2020

Offering words of hope

Today lots of people clinch to social media to find a virtual world which seems better than the world they encounter in real life.

Lots of people create themselves their own virtual world, with their virtual friends, but are missing the real-life contacts which build real friendships.

Churches have become empty and people disinterested in God and the Church.

The Church has to come to find new energisers and spiritual leaders who are full of energy to magnetise others and to attract people, curious for finding out what might inspire those people so much that they are so energetic and full of those words they can proclaim with so much fire.

The church also needs people who are willing to have an eye and an ear for what is going on and to be encouragers. They need to be willing to listen to those around them.

It is out of the abundance of God’s presence in their life that there must be 'disciples of Christ' who want to follow in the footsteps of the siciples of Christ, going out in the world, spreading the Good News and caring for the needs of others then becomes a natural outgrowth of faith.

The contemporary church leader has to give the priceless gift of understanding when he or she hears and responds. It’s not that we need to solve someone’s problem. With courage and optimism, however, we can offer words of hope. Recognizing this good, creative, valuable aspect in someone’s life, offers huge encouragement.

As a follower of Jesus, we are called to love one another. One expression of this love is through encouraging words. Many scripture passages tell us to voice words of comfort and strength.
 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  
We are siblings in Christ with believers all over the globe. Each of us has a role. Gifted with talents and abilities, we serve to care for those in need. Together we can (and do!) make a difference. 

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Preceding

Church indeed critical in faith development

Wednesday 26 May 2010

Monday 16 March 2009

Be an Encourager


Be an Encourager
March 16, 2009

By Rose McCormick Brandon

Discouragement often knocks on the door of the lonely, sick and elderly. For
decades Hope interceded for her family, church and community. Through her
strong witness many came to Christ. Now Hope sits alone in her living room
lamenting that her life is unfruitful. Poor health and several falls prevent
her from attending church. Few from the congregation call.

"I don¹t know why the Lord doesn¹t take me home," she says. "I'm no good to
Him any more."

Encouraging the Hopes of the world is a significant part of our work for
God. The first gift we can offer them is an empathetic ear. They often need
to unload their painful feelings. Sometimes the simple act of expressing
their thoughts lightens their darkness. Being a kind, nonjudgmental listener
is an offering believers can give one another.

In her prime, Hope prayed for, called and visited many. "Now I'm alone and
everyone has forgotten me," she says.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the
law of
Christ
" (Galatians 6:2, NIV).

After listening, raise the focus upwards by reminding the person of their
royal position.

"God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms
in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6).

Tell of His unconditional affection and the promise of His continual
presence. Read Scripture and pray together. Allow a spiritual bond to
develop. This restores the person's sense of belonging to the
body of
Christ
.

Paul expressed this in Romans 1:11,12: "I long to see you so that I may
impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong ‹ that is, that you and
I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith."

Even God's heroes become discouraged. Elijah, a miracle man, was so
miserable he wanted to die. An angel came, cooked him a nourishing meal and
told him to lie down and rest (1 Kings 19:1-8). What kindness the angel
showed the depressed prophet.

The angel's actions demonstrate the practical side of being an encourager.
Simple acts of kindness sooth despairing souls and remind them they're
loved. It's only human to grow old, tired, hungry and lonely. James wrote of
Elijah, "[He] was a man just like us" (James 5:17).

Christians often don't allow for human weakness. We consider the high points
of our faith journey and believe we should always live on those
mountaintops. Some may even believe that becoming disheartened, discouraged
or depressed is a sin.  An encourager dispels that myth.

Could someone you know benefit from an uplifting visit, phone call or letter
from you today?
‹ Rose McCormick Brandon writes personal experience essays, Bible studies,
news articles, profiles and devotionals from her home in Sault Ste. Marie,
Canada.